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Arouca/Lopinot MP Marvin Gonzales has accused the Government of repeatedly giving the Opposition insufficient time to examine major legislation before parliamentary debate. Speaking at an Opposition press conference, Gonzales said the Municipal Corporations (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was the latest example of what he described as a pattern of consequential legislation being introduced with limited notice. He said the Opposition had also received less than 48 hours to prepare for debates on the Special Operations Bill, amendments to public procurement legislation and the Miscellaneous Provisions legislation dealing with alcohol, cannabis, dangerous drugs, gambling and tobacco. Gonzales argued that the practice restricts the Opposition's ability to consult constituents and stakeholders before debating laws which could have significant effects on citizens. He referred to Standing Order 64(1)(b), which allows the second reading of a bill to be taken earlier than the usual period, but argued that the provision was traditionally intended for exceptional circumstances. According to Gonzales, the Opposition received an electronic copy of the municipal corporations legislation shortly before the scheduled sitting, while the bill itself had not yet been formally laid in Parliament at the time of the press conference. He said he had written to the Speaker expressing the Opposition's objections to the process. The criticism represents the Opposition's position on the Government's handling of legislation and does not establish that parliamentary rules were breached.
Arouca/Lopinot MP Marvin Gonzales has accused the Government of repeatedly giving the Opposition insufficient time to examine major legislation before parliamentary debate. Speaking at an Opposition press conference, Gonzales said the Municipal Corporations (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was the latest example of what he described as a pattern of consequential legislation being introduced with limited notice. He said the Opposition had also received less than 48 hours to prepare for debates on the Special Operations Bill, amendments to public procurement legislation and the Miscellaneous Provisions legislation dealing with alcohol, cannabis, dangerous drugs, gambling and tobacco. Gonzales argued that the practice restricts the Opposition’s ability to consult constituents and stakeholders before debating laws which could have significant effects on citizens. He referred to Standing Order 64(1)(b), which allows the second reading of a bill to be taken earlier than the usual period, but argued that the provision was traditionally intended for exceptional circumstances. According to Gonzales, the Opposition received an electronic copy of the municipal corporations legislation shortly before the scheduled sitting, while the bill itself had not yet been formally laid in Parliament at the time of the press conference. He said he had written to the Speaker expressing the Opposition’s objections to the process. The criticism represents the Opposition’s position on the Government’s handling of legislation and does not establish that parliamentary rules were breached.
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